Enclosure for coupling storage device to a computer

ABSTRACT

A mechanical enclosure provides a mechanism for coupling a storage device to a computer system. The mechanical enclosure can be removably coupled to the computer system and can allow for coupling of the storage device to the computer system without using specialty cables and connectors. The mechanical enclosure can allow the storage device to be coupled to computer system without significantly degrading the speed at which the data stored within the storage device is downloaded onto the computer. The storage device can be inserted into the mechanical enclosure which couples the storage device to the mechanical enclosure. The mechanical enclosure can be inserted into the computer system which similarly couples the computer system to the mechanical enclosure to effectively couple the storage device and the computer system. Once the storage device is effectively coupled to the computer system, the data stored within the storage device can be downloaded onto the computer without the need for specialty cables and connectors.

BACKGROUND

The United States Media and Entertainment Industry is the largest in theworld. The United States Media and Entertainment Industry represents athird of the global media and entertainment industry which deliversevents, such as musical events, theatrical events, sporting events,and/or motion picture events, to spectators for their viewing pleasure.Presently, venues, such as music venues and/or sporting venues toprovide an example, use high-resolution cameras to record these events.These high-resolution cameras often record significant amounts of dataonto removable storage devices to record these events.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It isnoted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry,features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the featuresmay be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1A shows a media in accordance with some exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1B shows an exemplary enclosure in accordance with some exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 1C shows the exemplary media of FIG. 1A partially inserted in theexemplary enclosure of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1D shows the exemplary media of FIG. 1A coupled to the exemplaryenclosure of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A shows a computer system and an enclosure in accordance with someexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2B shows a computer system and an enclosure in accordance with someexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2C shows multiple enclosures coupled to the computer system of FIG.2B.

FIG. 3 shows a mechanical storage device enclosure in accordance withsome exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the enclosure of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 3 with the topenclosure removed.

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 3 with the topenclosure removed.

FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of the enclosure of FIG. 3 with the topenclosure removed and with a media coupled to the enclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a first side view of the enclosure of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 shows a second side view opposite the first side view of theenclosure of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary printed circuit board used in accordance withsome exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a flow chart illustrating how an enclosure is assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Video cameras are widely used in the entertainment industry, includingfilm and television production and coverage of events, such as sportingevents, theatrical events, sporting events, and/or motion pictureevents. The video cameras can be used to capture various scenes, such asa cityscape or a nature scene to some provide some examples. These videocameras may record these events and/or scenes in various resolutions,for example, 4K resolution 8K resolution, 12K×6K resolution, or 9K×7Kresolution. These video cameras often record significant amounts of dataonto removable storage devices to record these events and/or scenes. Forexample, these removable storage devices can store 240 gigabytes (GBs),480 GBs, 960 GBs, 1 terabyte (TB), 2 TBs, 3 TBs, or 4 TBs of data. Andthese removable storage devices are designed using proprietarytechnology which requires specialty, often proprietary, cables andconnectors to connect these removable storage devices to a computer todownload the data stored within these removable storage devices onto thecomputer. Often times, it is an extremely time-consuming process todownload the data stored within these removable storage devices onto thecomputer. As such, multiple removable storage devices are oftensimultaneously connected to the computer to simultaneously download thedata stored within these multiple removable storage devices onto thecomputer.

Because each of these multiple removable storage devices requires itsown specialty cables and connectors, set up and break down can becomplex and time consuming. And these specialty cables and connectorsoften become intertwined with one another creating what is commonlyreferred to as a rat's nest. Offloading data stored within thesemultiple removable storage devices can create a cumbersome rat's nest ofcabling, and it can take hours or even days to offload all of the datafrom the removable storage devices. Not only do these specialty cablesand connectors create this rat's nest, these specialty cables andconnectors can effectively degrade the speed at which the data storedwithin these removable storage devices is downloaded onto the computer.For example, unwanted parasitic inductances and/or capacitance withinthese specialty cables and connectors can effectively reduce the speedat which the data stored within these removable storage devices isdownloaded onto the computer.

Overview

An exemplary mechanical enclosure provides a mechanism for coupling astorage device, for example, the removable storage device as discussedabove, to a computer system. In some embodiments, the exemplarymechanical enclosure can be removably coupled to the computer system andcan allow for coupling of the storage device to the computer systemwithout using specialty cables and connectors. In some embodiments, theexemplary mechanical enclosure can allow the storage device to becoupled to computer system without significantly degrading the speed atwhich the data stored within the storage device is downloaded onto thecomputer. As to be described in further detail below, the storage devicecan be inserted into the exemplary mechanical enclosure which couplesthe storage device to the exemplary mechanical enclosure. In someembodiments, the exemplary mechanical enclosure can be inserted into thecomputer system which similarly couples the computer system to theexemplary mechanical enclosure to effectively couple the storage deviceand the computer system. Once the storage device is effectively coupledto the computer system, the data stored within the storage device can bedownloaded onto the computer without the need for specialty cables andconnectors.

Exemplary Storage Device

FIG. 1A graphically illustrates an exemplary storage device inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments. As described above, a videocamera can capture an event, such as a sporting event, a theatricalevent, a sporting event, and/or a motion picture event to provide someexamples, as the event is occurring in real-time. In some embodiments,the video camera can alternatively, or additionally, capture a scene,such as a cityscape or a nature scene to provide some examples. Thevideo camera can thereafter store audible and/or visual datarepresenting the event and/or the scene in a digital form as digitaldata onto a storage device 100. In the exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIG. 1A, the storage device 100 can represent a removable storagedevice which can be removably coupled to, for example, ejected and/orunmounted from, a digital data recording device, such as the videocamera described above. One such storage device 100 can be a solid-statedrive (SSD) system distributed by RED, also referred to as a REDMINI-MAG or simply a REDMAG. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the storagedevice 100 includes a storage device enclosure 102 and a storage deviceconnector 104. Although the discussion to follow is to be described interms of the storage device 100, those skilled in the relevant art(s)will recognize that the teachings herein are equally applicable to anyother suitable storage device that stores digital data that will berecognized by those skilled in the relevant art(s) without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the storage deviceenclosure 102 represents a mechanical housing enclosing variouselectrical, mechanical, and/or electro-mechanical devices of the storagedevice 100 for storing the digital data. In some embodiments, thedigital data stored within the storage device 100 can represent audibleand/or visual data representing the event and/or the scene that wascaptured by the video camera as described above. In some embodiments,the electrical, mechanical, and/or electro-mechanical devices caninclude one or more solid-state memory storage devices which can storethe digital data using, for example, one or more volatile memory storagedevices, such as one or more random-access memory (RAM) storage devicesto provide an example, and/or one or more non-volatile memory storagedevices, such as one or more read-only memory (ROM) storage devices toprovide some examples. The one or more RAM storage devices can beimplemented as one or more dynamic random-access memories (DRAMs), oneor more static random-access memories (SRAMs), and/or one or morenon-volatile random-access memories (NVRAMs), often referred to as aflash memories, to provide some examples. The ROM storage device can beimplemented as one or more programmable read-only memory (PROMs), one ormore one-time programmable ROMs (OTPs), one or more erasableprogrammable read-only memories (EPROMs) and/or one or more electricallyerasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) to provide someexamples. In some embodiments, the electrical, mechanical, and/orelectro-mechanical devices can alternatively, or additionally, includeone or more phase-change memory (PCM) storage devices. The PCM storagedevice can be implemented as one or more phase change memories (PCM)and/or one or more phase change random access memories (PCRAM) toprovide some examples.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the storage deviceconnector 104 represents an electromechanical device which can beutilized to access the electrical, mechanical, and/or electro-mechanicaldevices within the storage device enclosure 102 to write the digitaldata to the storage device 100 and/or to read the digital data from thestorage device 100. For example, the video camera, as described above,utilizes the storage device connector 104 to access the variouselectrical, mechanical, and/or electro-mechanical devices within thestorage device enclosure 102 to write the digital data onto the storagedevice 100. As another example, a computer system, which is to bedescribed in further detail below, can utilize the storage deviceconnector 104 to access the various electrical, mechanical, and/orelectro-mechanical devices within the storage device enclosure 102 toread the digital data from the storage device 100. In some embodiments,the storage device connector 104 can be implemented as one or moreExternal Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA) connectors, oneor more Serial Advanced Technology Attachment Express (SATA Express)connectors, one or more U.2 connectors, one or more FireWire connectors,one or more connectors Universal Serial Bus (USB), and/or one or moresuitable connectors of any suitable technology, or technologies, thatwill be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Exemplary Mechanical Storage Device Enclosure

FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D illustrate simplified diagrams of an exemplarymechanical storage device enclosure in accordance with some exemplaryembodiments. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B throughFIG. 1D, a mechanical storage device enclosure 110 provides a mechanismfor coupling a storage device, such as the storage device 100 to providean example, to a computer system. As to be described in further detailbelow, the storage device 100 can be inserted into the mechanicalstorage device enclosure 110. The mechanical storage device enclosure110 can thereafter be inserted into the computer system to effectivelycouple the storage device 100 and the computer system. Once the storagedevice 100 is effectively coupled to the computer system, data storedwithin the storage device can be downloaded onto the computer systemwithout the need for specialty cables and connectors as described above.In some embodiments, this allows the digital data to be transferred fromthe storage device 100 to the computer system at a speed of at least 200megabytes per second (MB/s), for example, at least 225 MB/s, at least250 MB/s, at least 275 MB/s, at least 300 MB/s, at least 500 MB/s, atleast 1 GB/s, at least 2 GB/s, at least 3 GB/s, at least 4 GB/s, atleast 5 GB/s, or at least 6 GB/s, without being degraded by thesespecialty cables and connectors. As illustrated in FIG. 1B through FIG.1D, the mechanical storage device enclosure 110 includes an electricalinterface card 112 and a mechanical housing 120.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D, themechanical housing 120 represents a mechanical enclosure having theelectrical interface card 112. In some embodiments, the mechanicalhousing 120 can be implemented using one or more metallic materials,such as iron, steel, copper, bronze, brass, or aluminum to provide someexamples, one or more non-metallic materials, such as wood, plastic, orglass, and/or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, themechanical housing 120 has a length of about 4.5 inches to about 5inches (e.g., about 4.75 inches), a width of about 2.5 inches to about 4inches (e.g., about 2.5 inches to about 3.5 inches or about 3.5 inchesto about 4 inches), for example, about 2.75 inches, and a height ofabout 0.5 inches to about 1.75 inches (e.g., about 0.5 inches to about0.75 inches or about 1.25 inches to about 1.75 inches). In someembodiments, the mechanical housing 120 has a width of about 2.75 inchesand a height of about 0.6 inches. In some embodiments, the mechanicalhousing 120 has a width of about 3.85 inches and a height of about 1.5inches. In some embodiments, the electrical interface card 112 can bemechanically connected or attached to the mechanical housing 120 usingone or more fasteners, such as nuts, screws, bolts, and/or lags toprovide some examples. In these embodiments, this mechanical connectionor attachment between the mechanical housing 120 and electricalinterface card 112 can significantly lessen movement of the electricalinterface card 112. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the mechanical housing120 can include an opening with a size corresponding to a crosssectional area of the storage device 100. In these embodiments, thestorage device 100 can be inserted through the opening of the mechanicalhousing 120 to couple the storage device 100 to the electrical interfacecard 112 as illustrated in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D, theelectrical interface card 112 operates an interface between the storagedevice 100 and the computer system. In some embodiments, the electricalinterface card 112 provides an interconnected network of electricalinterconnections between a storage device connector 106 and a computersystem connector 108 which can be utilized to couple the storage device100 and the computer system. In some embodiments, the storage deviceconnector 106 and the computer system connector 108 can be implementedas one or more rectangular connectors, one or more terminal blocks, oneor more D-Sub, or D-Shaped, connectors, one or more External SerialAdvanced Technology Attachment (eSATA) connectors, one or more SerialAdvanced Technology Attachment Express (SATA Express) connectors, one ormore U.2 connectors, one or more FireWire connectors, one or moreconnectors Universal Serial Bus (USB), one or more industry standardarchitecture (ISA) connectors, one or more extended ISA (EISA)connectors, one or more peripheral component interconnect (PCI)connectors, one or more peripheral component interconnect extended(PCIx) connectors, one or more PCI express (PCIe) connectors, and/or oneor more suitable connectors of any suitable technology, or technologies,that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the electrical interface card 112 can beimplemented as a printed circuit board (PCB) having the storage deviceconnector 106 and the computer system connector 108. In theseembodiments, the storage device connector 106 and the computer systemconnector 108 can be implemented using one or more chassis or panelconnectors, one or more printed circuit board (PCB) mount connectors,and/or any other suitable connector type that will be apparent to thoseskilled in the relevant art(s) without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, the storagedevice 100 can be the solid-state drive (SSD) system distributed by RED,also referred to as a RED MINI-MAG or simply a REDMAG, as describedabove. In this exemplary embodiment, the storage device connector 106can be configured and arranged to be complaint with External SerialAdvanced Technology Attachment (eSATA), SATA Express, U.2 connectors,FireWire, Universal Serial Bus (USB) or any number of other technologiesto provide some examples. In another exemplary embodiment, the computersystem can include any suitable technology, or technologies, such asindustry standard architecture (ISA), extended ISA (EISA), peripheralcomponent interconnect (PCI), peripheral component interconnect extended(PCIx), PCI express (PCIe), or any number of other technologies toprovide some examples. In this other exemplary embodiment, the computersystem connector 108 can be configured and arranged to be complaint withone or more of these technologies.

In some embodiments, the electrical interface card 112 can additionallyinclude electronic circuitry to convert one or more parameters,characteristics, and/or attributes of signals traversing between thestorage device connector 106 and the computer system connector 108. Forexample, this electronic circuitry can include one or moreoptical-electrical converters to convert optical signals received fromthe storage device 100 via one or more connectors 106 into electricalsignals for transmission to the computer system and/or optical signalsreceived from the computer system via one or more connectors 108 intoelectrical signals for transmission to the storage device 100.Alternatively, or in addition to, the one or more optical-electricalconverters can convert electrical signals received from the storagedevice 100 via one or more connectors 106 into optical signals fortransmission to the computer system and/or electrical signals receivedfrom the computer system via one or more connectors 108 into opticalsignals for transmission to the storage device 100. As another example,this electronic circuitry can convert between any suitable technology,or technologies, such as External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment(eSATA), SATA Express, U.2 connectors, FireWire, Universal Serial Bus(USB), industry standard architecture (ISA), extended ISA (EISA),peripheral component interconnect (PCI), peripheral componentinterconnect extended (PCIx), PCI express (PCIe), or any number of othertechnologies that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevantart(s) without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, this electronic circuitry can convert betweenlogical levels of a first technology, such as 2.8-3.6 volts (V) forlogical high level for Low-speed (LS) and Full-speed (FS) modes of USB3.0 or 360 to 440 millivolt (mV) for logical high level for High-speed(HS) mode of USB 3.0, into logical levels of a second technology, suchas 700 mV logical high level for PCIe. As another example, thiselectronic circuitry can convert single ended signals received from theone or more connectors 106 and/or the one or more connectors 108 intodifferential signals and/or into differential signals received from theone or more connectors 106 and/or the one or more connectors 108 intosingle ended signals.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the storage device 100 can be inserted intothe mechanical housing 120 to couple the storage device 100 and theelectrical interface card 112. In the exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, the storage device 100 can be inserted into themechanical housing 120 to couple the storage device connector 104 andthe storage device connector 106. In some embodiments, the storagedevice connector 104 and the storage device connector 106 form amale-female, or plug-receptacle, pair of connectors. In theseembodiments, the storage device connector 104 can be connected, ormated, to the storage device connector 106 to couple the storage device100 and the electrical interface card 112 as illustrated in FIG. 1D. Asto be described in further detail below, the mechanical storage deviceenclosure 110 can be inserted into the computer system to effectivelycouple the storage device 100 and the computer system. As to bedescribed in further detail below, the computer system connector 108 canbe coupled to a corresponding computer system connector within thecomputer system to couple the electrical interface card 112 and thecomputer system. the storage device connector 104 can be coupled to thestorage device connector 106 to couple the storage device 100 and theelectrical interface card 112. And, the computer system connector 108can be coupled to a corresponding computer system connector within thecomputer system to couple the electrical interface card 112 and thecomputer system. In some embodiments, the computer system connector 108and the corresponding computer system connector within the computersystem can be connected, or mated, to couple the electrical interfacecard 112 and the computer system. Once the storage device 100 iseffectively coupled to the computer system, data stored within thestorage device can be downloaded onto the computer system without theneed for specialty cables and connectors as described above. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D, themechanical storage device enclosure 110 can include one or more guiderails 130. The one or more guide rails 130 can direct the computersystem connector 108 toward the corresponding computer system connectorwithin the computer system as the mechanical storage device enclosure110 is being inserted into the computer system. In some embodiments, thecomputer system can similarly include one or more corresponding tracksto accept the one or more guide rails 130. In these embodiments, the oneor more corresponding tracks of the computer system can utilize the oneor more guide rails 130 to direct the computer system connector 108toward the corresponding computer system connector within the computersystem as the mechanical storage device enclosure 110 is being insertedinto the computer system.

Exemplary Computer System

FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C illustrate an exemplary computer system inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments. As described above, amechanical storage device enclosure, such as the mechanical storagedevice enclosure 110 to provide an example, having a storage device,such as the storage device 100 to provide an example, can be coupled toa computer system 200. As to be described in further detail below, thestorage device 100 can be inserted into the computer system 200 toeffectively couple the storage device 100 and the computer system. Oncethe storage device 100 is effectively coupled to the computer system200, data stored within the storage device can be downloaded onto thecomputer system 200 without the need for specialty cables and connectorsas described above. In some embodiments, this allows the digital data tobe transferred from the storage device 100 to the computer system at aspeed of at least 200 megabytes per second (MB/s), for example, at least225 MB/s, at least 250 MB/s, at least 275 MB/s, or at least 300 MB/s, atleast 500 MB/s, at least 1 GB/s, at least 2 GB/s, at least 3 GB/s, atleast 4 GB/s, at least 5 GB/s, or at least 6 GB/s, at least 10 GB/s, atleast 15 GB/s, at least 25 GB/s, at least 35 GB/s, at least 45 GB/s, orat least 60 GB/s, without being degraded by these specialty cables andconnectors. In some embodiments, the digital data may be transferredfrom the storage device 100 to the computer system at a speed of about16 GB/s. Alternatively, or in addition to, the digital data may betransferred from the storage device 100 to the computer system at aspeed of about 64 GB/s.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C, the computer system 200includes drive bays 205.1 through 205.n. Although the computer system200 is illustrated as being a personal computer in FIG. 2A through FIG.2C, this is for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in therelevant art(s) will recognize that the teachings herein are equallyapplicable to other types of electronic devices, such as one or consumerelectronics devices, cellular phones, smartphones, feature phones,tablet computers, wearable computer devices, personal digital assistants(PDAs), pagers, wireless handsets, laptop computers, in-vehicleinfotainment (IVI), in-car entertainment (ICE) devices, an InstrumentCluster (IC), head-up display (HUD) devices, onboard diagnostic (OBD)devices, dashtop mobile equipment (DME), mobile data terminals (MDTs),networked or “smart” appliances, Machine-Type-Communication (MTC)devices, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) devices, and/or Internet of Things(IoT) devices to provide some examples. In some embodiments, the drivebays 205.1 through 205.n can be implemented using one or morestandardized sizes, such as 5.25 inches, 3.5 inches, 2.5 inches, 1.8inches, and/or any combination thereof to provide some examples.

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the mechanical storage device enclosure 110can be inserted into one of the drive bays 205.1 through 205.n, such asa drive bay 205.x from among the drive bays 205.1 through 205.n toprovide an examples, to couple the storage device 100 to the computersystem 200. Although the FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C illustrate only onemechanical storage device enclosure 110 being inserted into the drivebay 205.x, those skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize thatmultiple mechanical storage device enclosures 110 can be inserted intothe drive bays 205.1 through 205.n to simultaneously transfer digitaldata stored within the storage devices 100 within these multiplemechanical storage device enclosures 110. In some embodiments, thestorage device 100 can be inserted into the mechanical storage deviceenclosure 110, as described above in FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D, which isthereafter inserted into the drive bay 205.x as to be described infurther detail below. Alternatively, or in addition to, the mechanicalstorage device enclosure 110 can be inserted into the drive bay 205.x,as to be described in further detail below, with the storage device 100thereafter being inserted into the mechanical storage device enclosure110 as described above in FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D. In some embodiments,the drive bays 205.1 through 205.n allow the mechanical storage deviceenclosure 110 to be plugged into the computer system 200. Although notillustrated in FIG. 2A through FIG. 2C, the drive bays 205.1 through205.n include one or more computer system connectors. In someembodiments, the one or more computer system connectors can beimplemented as one or more rectangular connectors, one or more terminalblocks, one or more D-Sub, or D-Shaped, connectors, one or more ExternalSerial Advanced Technology Attachment (eSATA) connectors, one or moreSerial Advanced Technology Attachment Express (SATA Express) connectors,one or more U.2 connectors, one or more FireWire connectors, one or moreconnectors Universal Serial Bus (USB), one or more industry standardarchitecture (ISA) connectors, one or more extended ISA (EISA)connectors, one or more peripheral component interconnect (PCI)connectors, one or more peripheral component interconnect extended(PCIx) connectors, one or more PCI express (PCIe) connectors, and/or oneor more suitable connectors of any suitable technology, or technologies,that will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the one or more computer system connectorscan be coupled to the computer system connector 108 of the mechanicalstorage device enclosure 110 to couple the electrical interface card 112and the computer system. In some embodiments, the computer systemconnector 108 and the one or more computer system connectors within thedrive bays 205.1 through 205.n can be connected, or mated, to couple thecomputer system 200 and the storage device 100. Once the storage device100 is effectively coupled to the computer system 200, data storedwithin the storage device can be downloaded onto the computer systemwithout the need for specialty cables and connectors as described above.In some embodiments, the drive bays 205.1 through 205.n can include oneor more corresponding tracks to accept the one or more guide rails 130of the mechanical storage device enclosure 110. In these embodiments,the one or more corresponding tracks of the computer system can utilizethe one or more guide rails 130 to direct the computer system connector108 toward the computer system connectors within the drive bays 205.1through 205.n as the mechanical storage device enclosure 110 is beinginserted into the drive bays 205.1 through 205.n.

All of these benefits can result in a system that is versatile and canaccelerate data transfer times by simultaneously coupling numerousenclosures to the computer system 200. The number of mechanical storagedevice enclosures 110 that may be coupled to the computer is based uponthe number of drive bays from among the drive bays 205.1 through 205.n.For example, if the event and/or the scene, as described above, useseight video cameras to store audible and/or visual data representing theevent and/or the scene in a digital form as digital data onto eightstorage devices 100, these eight storage devices 100 can be insertedinto eight mechanical storage device enclosures 110. Once the storagedevices 100 are inserted, these eight mechanical storage deviceenclosures 110 can be inserted into eight drive bays 205.1 through 205.8of the computer system 200 to simultaneously transfer the digital datastored within these eight storage devices 100 to the computer system200.

Exemplary Mechanical Storage Device Enclosure with Adjustable Side Rails

FIG. 3 through FIG. 8 illustrate more detailed diagrams of the exemplarymechanical storage device enclosure in accordance with some exemplaryembodiments. FIG. 3 further illustrates the exemplary mechanical storagedevice enclosure having the exemplary storage device. A mechanicalstorage device enclosure 350, as illustrated in FIG. 3, shares manysubstantially similar features as the mechanical storage deviceenclosure 110 as described above in FIG. 1B through FIG. 2C; therefore,only differences between these mechanical storage device enclosures areto be described in further detail below. As illustrated in FIG. 3, themechanical storage device enclosure 350 may additionally include a topenclosure 300. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mechanical storage deviceenclosure 350 additionally includes a top enclosure 300, one or morefasteners 305, and/or one or more fasteners 315.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the top enclosure 300represents a cover or lid for the mechanical housing 120 to secure thestorage device 100 within the mechanical housing 120. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the top enclosure 300 can be removably coupled to the mechanicalhousing 120 by the one or more fasteners 305, such as nuts, screws,bolts, and/or lags to provide some examples. In some embodiments, thetop enclosure 300 can be implemented using one or more metallicmaterials, such as iron, steel, copper, bronze, brass, or aluminum toprovide some examples, one or more non-metallic materials, such as wood,plastic, or glass, and/or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,the top enclosure 300 can include an opening 310. In some embodiments,the storage device 100 can include a protrusion, or bulge, on itssurface which enters into the opening 310 as the storage device 100 isbeing inserted into the mechanical housing 120 as described above inFIG. 1B through FIG. 1D to effectively secure the storage device 100within the mechanical housing 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the one or more guide rails 130 can beremovably coupled to the mechanical housing 120, for example, by the oneor more fasteners 315, such as nuts, screws, bolts, and/or lags toprovide some examples. Additionally, different computers may havedifferent types of devices for coupling drives, for example, mechanicalstorage device enclosure 110, within the drive bays 205.1 through 205.n.To accommodate different coupling devices, the one or more guide rails130 can be interchangeable. For example, the one or more guide rails 130can be replaced by different guide rails that are shaped and sized tofit in within the drive bays 205.1 through 205.n of different computersystems. Additionally, the one or more guide rails 130 can be coupled tothe mechanical housing 120 by the one or more fasteners 315, forexample, nuts, screws, bolts, and/or lags, attached to mechanicalhousing 120 through opening 316. Each opening 316 can be an elongatedhole, as illustrated in FIG. 3 to allow for adjustment of the one ormore guide rails 130 on the side of mechanical housing 120. Thisadjustment allows for the guide rails to be precisely positioned withinthe drive bays 205.1 through 205.n of computer system 200. In someembodiments, the one or more guide rails 130 are both interchangeableand adjustable.

FIG. 4 graphically illustrates an exploded view of the exemplarymechanical storage device enclosure having the exemplary storage device.As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mechanical storage device enclosure 350can further include a storage device receptacle 400 that receives thestorage device 100 and an interface card receptacle 405 that receivesthe electrical interface card 112. In some embodiments, the electricalinterface card 112 can be secured to the mechanical housing 120 byinserting a fastener, such as a nut, screw, bolt, and/or lag to providesome examples, through a hole 413 in electrical interface card 112 and ahole 406 in the interface card receptacle 405.

In some embodiments, the storage device receptacle 400 can be shapedappropriately to receive the storage device 100. For example, across-section of the storage device 100 may have a rectangular shape orhexagonal shape. In some embodiments, a cross-section of the storagedevice 100 is a convex hexagon. The storage device receptacle 400 mayhave a shape corresponding to outer surfaces of the storage device 100.For example, the storage device receptacle 400 may include angledsurfaces 401 that correspond to angled sides on the storage device 100.The shape of storage device receptacle 400 may ensure that the storagedevice 100 is properly positioned when inserted in storage devicereceptacle 400 as described above in FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D.

In some embodiments, the storage device receptacle 400 is defined atleast in part by the mechanical housing 120. In some embodiments, thestorage device receptacle 400 can be integral with the mechanicalhousing 120. In some embodiments, the storage device receptacle 400 canbe removably coupled to the mechanical housing 120. If the storagedevice receptacle 400 is removably coupled to the mechanical housing120, the storage device receptacle 400 can be interchangeable such thatmechanical storage device enclosure 110 may accommodate storage devices100 having a different size and/or shape.

The storage device receptacle 400 can be sized to receive variousstorage devices 100. In some embodiments, the storage device receptacle400 is configured to couple to the storage device 100 that has a heightof about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, for example, about 0.3 inchesor about 0.4 inches, and a width of about 1.5 inches to about 2 inches,for example, about 1.75 inches. In some embodiments, the storage device100 has a height of about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, for example,about 0.3 inches or about 0.4 inches, and a width of about 1.5 inches toabout 2 inches, for example, about 1.75 inches. The storage devicereceptacle 400 may have a width of about 30% to about 90% of a width ofthe mechanical housing 120. In some embodiments, the storage devicereceptacle 400 may have a width of about 50% to about 75% of a width ofthe mechanical housing 120.

FIG. 5 through FIG. 6B further illustrate the exemplary mechanicalstorage device enclosure with and without the exemplary storage device.As illustrated in FIG. 5 through FIG. 6B, the mechanical storage deviceenclosure 350 may also include a cross piece or crossbar 330 that cansecure the electrical interface card 112 to the mechanical housing 120and provide strain relief to the electrical interface card 112 when theelectrical interface card 112 is coupled to the storage device 100 asdescribed above in FIG. 1B through FIG. 2C. The crossbar 330 may have aU-shaped structure that at least partially surrounds a portion ofelectrical interface card 112. When coupled to the mechanical housing120, for example, by one or more fasteners 416, such as nuts, screws,bolts, and/or lags to provide some examples, crossbar 330 may secureelectrical interface card 112 to the mechanical housing 120 and preventelectrical interface card 112 from moving. The electrical interface card112 may also be coupled to crossbar 330 using one or more fasteners 411,such as nuts, screws, bolts, and/or lags to provide some examples.Accordingly, crossbar 330 may ensure that electrical interface card 112is secure and properly aligned. The crossbar 330 may include an upwardprojection, for example, projection 415, which is configured to projectthrough an opening in top enclosure 300, as discussed in more detailbelow.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 further illustrate front and back views of theexemplary mechanical storage device enclosure with and without theexemplary storage device. As illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the topenclosure 300 may couple to the mechanical housing 120. The topenclosure 300 may cover the storage device receptacle 400 and interfacecard receptacle 405 of the mechanical housing 120. The top enclosure 300and the mechanical housing 120 may together define an opening in whichthe storage device 100 can be inserted as described above in FIG. 1Bthrough FIG. 2C. In some embodiments, the opening defined by themechanical housing 120 and the top enclosure 300 may have a height ofabout 0.05 inches to about 0.5 inches and a width of about 0.5 inches toabout 2 inches. For example, the height can be about 0.05 inches, about0.075 inches, about 0.1 inches, about 0.2 inches, about 0.3 inches,about 0.4 inches, or about 0.5 inches, or within a range having any twoof these values as endpoints, inclusive of the endpoints. For example,the width can be about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1 inch,about 1.25 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 1.75 inches, or about 2inches, or within a range having any two of these values as endpoints,inclusive of the endpoints. In some embodiments, the opening has aheight of about 0.3 inches and a width of about 1.75 inches. Further,top enclosure 300 may include opening 310 that aligns with projection415 of crossbar 330, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Alignment ensures astable connection between the computer system connector 108 and aconnector on computer system 200.

To ensure stable data transfer, all of the components should be securelycoupled together. For example, the electrical interface card 112 can beelectrically coupled to both computer system 200 and to the storagedevice 100 as described above in FIG. 1B through FIG. 2C. If computersystem 200 does not securely receive mechanical storage device enclosure110 or if mechanical storage device enclosure 110 does not securelyreceive the storage device 100, the connections may not be stable. Thiscan cause failure or interruption of data transfer. In some embodiments,the mechanical storage device enclosure 110 can be designed to preventsuch issues. For example, top enclosure 300 may made of a flexiblematerial such that top enclosure 300 flexes when mechanical storagedevice enclosure 110 is inserted in a drive bay 205 of computer system200. This allows for a secure fit without damaging mechanical storagedevice enclosure 350.

Additionally, the mechanical storage device enclosure 350 may include alocking system that can secure enclosure 750 within drive bay 205 ofcomputer system 200. The locking system may include clip 320 andfastener 325, as illustrated in FIG. 7. This locking system ensures thatmechanical storage device enclosure 350 is securely coupled within oneof the drive bays 205 of computer system 200. For example, oncemechanical storage device enclosure 350 has been inserted into drive bay205, the clip 320 can be attached to the mechanical housing 120, thenthe fastener 325 can be used to secure the clip 320. This also securesthe entire mechanical storage device enclosure 350 in drive bay 205,which in turn ensures a stable connection between computer systemconnector 108 of electrical interface card 112 and correspondingconnectors of computer system 200. The locking system may also includealignment pin 420 that ensures clip 320 does not rotate when secured tothe mechanical housing 120.

Exemplary Electrical Interface Card Used with Some Exemplary MechanicalStorage Device Enclosures

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary electrical interface card that can beused with the various exemplary mechanical storage device enclosuresdisclosed herein. As illustrated in FIG. 9, an electrical interface card900 may include at least two connectors, such as storage deviceconnector 106 and the computer system connector 108. The electricalinterface card 900 as illustrated in FIG. 9 shares many substantiallysimilar features as the electrical interface card 112 as described abovein FIG. 1B through FIG. 1D; therefore, only differences between thesemechanical storage device enclosures are to be described in furtherdetail below. In some embodiments, the computer system connector 108 mayinclude a first connector, for example, storage device connector 106, ona first side of a printed circuit board and a second connector, forexample, computer system connector 108, on a second side of the printedcircuit board. The first connector of electrical interface card 900 maycouple with the storage device connector 104. The second connector mayinclude multiple connectors 902 through 906, including power connectorsand data connectors. In some embodiments, the connector 902 and theconnector 904 are configured to transfer data. In some embodiments, theconnector 906 is configured to couple to a USB cable. In someembodiments, the connector 904 is configured to couple to a connector(e.g., USB Micro B cable, 10 Gigabit Ethernet cable, 25 Gigabit Ethernetcable, fiber-optic cable, Thunderbolt cable, USB-C cable, or USB 3cable). In some embodiments, the computer system connector 108 coupleswith a connector on computer system 200 to form a SATA interface. Insome embodiments, the SATA interface is a SATA III interface. In someembodiments, computer system connector 108 couples with a connector oncomputer system 200 to form a PCI-e interface. In some embodiments,electrical interface card 900 provides an optical-to-electricalinterface between the storage device 100 and computer system 200.

Exemplary Method of Assembling an Exemplary Mechanical Storage DeviceEnclosure

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary method for assembling an exemplarymechanical storage device enclosure. Mechanical storage device enclosure110 can be assembled by first positioning and coupling electricalinterface card 112 to the mechanical housing 120 at step 1000. Afterelectrical interface card 112 has been positioned, crossbar 330 can becoupled to the mechanical housing 120 using one or more fasteners 416 atstep 1010. This may secure electrical interface card 112 and preventelectrical interface card 112 from moving when mechanical storage deviceenclosure 110 is in use. Then top enclosure 300 can be coupled tomechanical housing 120 using fastener 305 at step 1020, which forms anopening in one end of mechanical storage device enclosure 110 that issized to receive a media storage device, for example, the storage device100. Guide rails can be coupled to opposite sides of the mechanicalhousing 120 by one or more fasteners 315 at step 1030. Guide rails mayinclude opening 316. The position of guide rails can be adjusted at step1040. For example, by at least partially screwing one or more fasteners315, side rails can be adjusted up or down on the sides of themechanical housing 120 to an appropriate position to properly align withcorresponding tracks in drive bays 205 of computer system 200. Onceguide rails are in the appropriate position, mechanical storage deviceenclosure 110 can be inserted into drive bay 205 of computer system 200such that guide rails engage with corresponding tracks in drive bay 205.When assembled, mechanical storage device enclosure 110 can be removablyinserted into a slot of a computer, for example, drive bay 205 ofcomputer system 200 to electrically couple with a computer, asillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C. In some embodiments, mechanical storagedevice enclosure 110 directly couples to computer system 200. Asillustrated in FIG. 2B, multiple mechanical enclosures 110 can be usedsimultaneously in the various drive bays 205 of computer system 200.

Mechanical storage device enclosure 110 may then be pushed into drivebay 205 until electrical interface card 112 couples with a correspondingconnector of computer system 200, as discussed in detail above. Afterelectrical interface card 112 is coupled with a corresponding connectorof computer system 200, clip 320, alignment pin 420, and fastener 325can be used to secure mechanical storage device enclosure 110 to drivebay 205. Once mechanical storage device enclosure 110 has been securedto drive bay 205, the storage device 100 can be inserted into mechanicalstorage device enclosure 110 so as to electrically couple the storagedevice 100 to computer system 200 without any external cables.

Some embodiments are directed to an enclosure for coupling a storagedevice to a computer. The enclosure may comprise a mechanical housing120; a receptacle defined by the mechanical housing 120, wherein thereceptacle is configured to couple to the storage device; a printedcircuit board coupled to the mechanical housing 120, the printed circuitboard comprising a first connector and a second connector, wherein thefirst connector is configured to electrically couple to a thirdconnector on the storage device, and wherein the second connector isconfigured to electrically couple to a fourth connector on the computer;and a first side rail and a second side rail, wherein the first andsecond side rails are removably coupled to the mechanical housing 120,wherein the first side rail and the second side rail are configured toremovably engage with corresponding tracks in the computer.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the computercomprises at least one media slot configured to couple to the enclosure.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosure has awidth in a range of 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the second connectorand the fourth connector together form a SATA interface.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the second connectorand the fourth connector together form a PCI-e interface.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosurefurther comprises a crossbar coupled to the mechanical housing 120,wherein the crossbar is configured to align the enclosure in a mediaslot of the computer.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosurefurther comprises a top enclosure removably coupled to the mechanicalhousing 120, wherein the top enclosure is made of a flexible material.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosurefurther comprises a crossbar coupled to the mechanical housing 120,wherein the crossbar is configured to secure the printed circuit board.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the top enclosurecomprises an opening, wherein the crossbar comprises a projection thataligns with the opening when the top enclosure is coupled to themechanical housing 120.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the mechanicalhousing 120 has a width in a range of 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches and aheight in a range of 0.5 inches to 1 inch.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosure isconfigured to engage with the computer when the second connector iselectrically coupled to the fourth connector.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosure isconfigured to couple to the storage device while the enclosure isengaged with the computer.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosure isconfigured to electrically couple the storage device to the computerwithout any external cables.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the first and secondside rails each comprise a pair of elongated holes configured to adjustthe position of the side rails.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the first side railis replaceable with a third side rail and the second side rail isreplaceable with a fourth side rail, wherein the first and second siderails each form a first shape, and wherein the third and fourth siderails each form a second shape that is different than the first shape.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the receptacle isdefined by an outer surface of the mechanical housing 120.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosurefurther comprises a top enclosure, wherein the top enclosure and themechanical housing 120 together form the receptacle.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the enclosure isconfigured to directly couple with a computer chassis.

Some embodiments are directed to a system for coupling a storage deviceto a computer, the system comprising at least one enclosure, theenclosure comprising a mechanical housing 120, a receptacle defined inpart by the mechanical housing 120, the receptacle configured to coupleto the storage device, and a printed circuit board configured to coupleto the storage device and to the computer. The computer may comprise aplurality of media slots, wherein each of the plurality of media slotsis configured to couple to the enclosure. The enclosure can beconfigured to couple to the storage device when the enclosure iselectrically coupled to the computer. The enclosure can be configured toelectrically couple the storage device to the computer without externalcables.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the receptacle isdefined by the mechanical housing 120 and a top enclosure.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the plurality ofmedia slots comprises 8 media slots, wherein the at least one enclosurecomprises 8 enclosures, wherein each of the enclosures is coupled to oneof the media slots.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, each of theenclosures has a width in a range of 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, each media slotcomprises a pair of tracks, and at least one enclosure comprises a pairof side rails configured to removably engage with the pair of tracks.

In any of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the pair of siderails are configured to be moved in a vertical direction so as to adjustthe position of the enclosure within the media slot.

As used herein, the term “video camera” means any camera capable ofrecording high definition (1920×1080 pixels), 4K resolution, 8Kresolution, 12K×6K resolution, 9K×7K resolution, or higher.

As used herein, the term “storage device” means any type of mass storagedevice designed for use in high-resolution cameras.

As used herein, the terms “upper” and “lower,” and “top” and “bottom,”“left” and “right,” and the like are intended to assist in understandingof embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the accompanyingdrawings with respect to the orientation of the beverage closure asshown, and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of thedisclosure or to limit the disclosure scope to the embodiments depictedin the Figures. The directional terms are used for convenience ofdescription and it is understood that a closure and a container can bepositioned in any of various orientations.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpretthe claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or morebut not all exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure ascontemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit thepresent disclosure and the appended claims in any way.

The present disclosure has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specifiedfunctions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functionalbuilding blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenienceof the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as thespecified functions and relationships thereof are appropriatelyperformed.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the disclosure that others can, by applyingknowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance.

The above examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the presentdisclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the varietyof conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, andwhich would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within thespirit and scope of the disclosure.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” etc., indicate that theembodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited byany of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be definedonly in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, when the term “about” is used in describing a value oran end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to includethe specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numericalvalue or end-point of a range recites “about,” the numerical value orend-point is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by“about,” and one not modified by “about.” As used herein, the term“about” may include ±5%.

What is claimed is:
 1. An enclosure for coupling a storage device to acomputer system, the enclosure comprising: a mechanical housing; areceptacle defined by the mechanical housing, wherein the receptacle isconfigured to couple to the storage device; an electrical interface cardcoupled to the mechanical housing, the electrical interface cardcomprising a first connector and a second connector, wherein the firstconnector is configured to electrically couple to a third connector onthe storage device, and wherein the second connector is configured toelectrically couple to a fourth connector on the computer system; and afirst side rail and a second side rail, wherein the first and secondside rails are removably coupled to the mechanical housing, wherein thefirst side rail and the second side rail are configured to removablyengage with corresponding tracks in the computer system.
 2. Theenclosure of claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises at least onedrive bay configured to couple to the enclosure.
 3. The enclosure ofclaim 2, wherein the enclosure has a width in a range of 2.5 inches to3.5 inches.
 4. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the second connectorand the fourth connector together form a SATA interface.
 5. Theenclosure of claim 1, wherein the second connector and the fourthconnector together form a PCI-e interface.
 6. The enclosure of claim 1,further comprising a crossbar coupled to the mechanical housing, whereinthe crossbar is configured to align the enclosure in a drive bay of thecomputer system.
 7. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a topenclosure removably coupled to the mechanical housing, wherein the topenclosure is made of a flexible material.
 8. The enclosure of claim 7,further comprising a crossbar coupled to the mechanical housing, whereinthe crossbar is configured to secure the electrical interface card. 9.The enclosure of claim 8, wherein the top enclosure comprises anopening, wherein the crossbar comprises a projection that aligns withthe opening when the top enclosure is coupled to the mechanical housing.10. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the mechanical housing has a widthin a range of 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches and a height in a range of 0.5inches to 1 inch.
 11. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure isconfigured to engage with the computer system when the second connectoris electrically coupled to the fourth connector.
 12. The enclosure ofclaim 11, wherein the enclosure is configured to couple to the storagedevice while the enclosure is engaged with the computer system.
 13. Theenclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is configured toelectrically couple the storage device to the computer system withoutany external cables.
 14. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond side rails each comprise a pair of elongated holes.
 15. Theenclosure of claim 1, wherein the first side rail is replaceable with athird side rail and the second side rail is replaceable with a fourthside rail, wherein the first and second side rails each form a firstshape, and wherein the third and fourth side rails each form a secondshape that is different than the first shape.
 16. The enclosure of claim1, wherein the receptacle is defined by an outer surface of themechanical housing.
 17. The enclosure of claim 1, further comprising atop enclosure, wherein the top enclosure and the mechanical housingtogether form the receptacle.
 18. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein theenclosure is configured to directly couple with a computer systemchassis.
 19. A system for coupling a storage device to a computersystem, the system comprising: at least one enclosure, the enclosurecomprising: a mechanical housing a receptacle defined in part by themechanical housing, the receptacle configured to couple to the storagedevice; an electrical interface card configured to couple to the storagedevice and to the computer system; wherein the computer system comprisesa plurality of drive bays, wherein each of the plurality of drive baysis configured to couple to the enclosure; wherein the enclosure isconfigured to couple to the storage device when the enclosure is coupledto the computer system; and wherein the enclosure is configured toelectrically couple the storage device to the computer system withoutexternal cables.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the receptacle isdefined by the mechanical housing and a top enclosure.
 21. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the plurality of drive bays comprises 8 drive bays,wherein the at least one enclosure comprises 8 enclosures, wherein eachof the enclosures is coupled to one of the drive bays.
 22. The system ofclaim 21, wherein each of the enclosures has a width in a range of 2.5inches to 3.5 inches.
 23. The system of claim 19, wherein each drive baycomprises a pair of tracks, wherein the at least one enclosure comprisesa pair of side rails configured to removably engage with the pair oftracks.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the pair of side rails areconfigured to be moved in a vertical direction so as to adjust theposition of the enclosure within the drive bay.